Spacesaver delivered modern, innovative solutions for the preservation of artifacts at Benzie Area Historical Society. 

Browse some of our athletic installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Athletics Spacesaver Case Studies

Athletics

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Agriculture Spacesaver Case Studies

Agriculture

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Business Spacesaver Case Studies

Business

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Education Spacesaver Case Studies

Education

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Healthcare Spacesaver Case Studies

Healthcare

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Manufacturing Spacesaver Case Studies

Manufacturing

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Military Spacesaver Case Studies

Military

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Public Safety Spacesaver Case Studies

Public Safety

Browse some of our library installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Library Spacesaver Case Studies

Library

Browse some of our museum installs for inspiration and ideas of innovative storage solutions.

Museum Spacesaver Case Studies

Museum

Transforming an underutilized space into a sports storage hub

Transforming an underutilized hallway from "catch-all" to "eye-catching"

Northwestern College Bultman Center

<h2>Boosting An Athletics Identity</h2>
<p>Built in the late 1990s, Northwestern College’s Bultman Center features a mix of training rooms and amenities designed to support the student-athletes and staff within its Athletics Department. In 2021, the facility underwent renovations to incorporate a refreshed athletics identity, which included a new gym floor and aesthetic improvements throughout the lobby and hallway areas. What it didn’t include, was a centralized equipment storage area that could not only boost accessibility for its users, but also integrate with the Center’s updated image. Needing an assist, school administrators called Spacesaver to help strengthen their winning foundation.</p>

<p>Trusted solutions that help athletes stay safe and do their best.</p>

Look Good, Play Well

Assistant Athletic Director

<h2>Creating A Home Field Advantage</h2>
<p>No matter what the intended use of a facility may be, storage is often one of the last aspects considered – if at all – during the design phase. This was the case for Northwestern College, whose athletics staff had been working with a scattered mix of dated static shelving, assorted boxes and totes, and open office space to store their gear. Wanting to bring all these satellite storage spaces into a centralized location, administrators called in Spacesaver’s rep to develop a winning strategy centered around the available space the facility had to offer. Upon assessing their prospects, our rep identified an underutilized hallway located outside of the Bultman Center’s fieldhouse as the ideal location for the college’s new athletic equipment room.</p>

<h2>High-Impact In Small Space</h2>
<p>Knowing they were working with a limited amount of available space to house equipment for more than a dozen sport programs, athletic training staff, and promotional teams, our rep chose to employ a Mechanical Assist <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems">High-Density Mobile Shelving system</a> to increase capacity for each user’s unique storage needs. Further advancing the versatility of the system, our rep included Spacesaver’s innovative 4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving.</p>

<p>Designed for use in spaces that need both dependable storage and maximum flexibility, FreeSpan’s patent-pending clip design, allows coaches and equipment managers to adjust their shelving in ¾” increments to securely store as many materials as possible. When paired with our full 4-Post Shelving accessory lineup including hanger bars for uniforms, dividers for helmets, and more, users can be more intentional in the way they store the specialized equipment their student-athletes need to perform at the highest level.</p>

<p>Compatible with all of our 4-Post solutions and accessories, Spacesaver 4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving is engineered to redefine modern storage by maximizing flexibility, speed, and functionality for its users and the space they occupy.</p>


4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving Brochure

<h2>A Lasting Look And Legacy</h2>
<p>While the new equipment room is stored in a location outside the view of the public, its design upholds Northwestern College’s athletic identity. Outfitted with custom end panels displaying the pride of the Raider faithful, it’s a constant reminder for those who use it – as well as prospective student-athletes – of the level of care and concern the college puts into supporting their sport programs.</p>
<p>Not just for looks, Northwestern College’s mobile storage system is designed for the long-haul. Its durable steel construction, mechanical assist operation, and future-proof FreeSpan Shelving allows it to stand up to any storage challenge the Athletic Department may send its way.</p>

Spacesaver 4-Post FreeSpan Shelving mounted on a mechanical assist system holding totes and Northwestern jerseys

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Northwestern College

Learn how Spacesaver's FreeSpan shelving helped create flexibility and organization for the Benzie Area Historical Society and Museum's archives in our case study!

Centralized Archives with Flexibility for the Future

Benzie Area Historical Society

<h2>Preservation and Growth Working in Harmony</h2>
<p>To best serve their patrons, museum professionals must be resources for understanding the past and applying lessons learned that can benefit future generations. To that end, the Benzie Area Historical Society (BAHS), which owns and operates the Benzie Area Historical Museum, found an opportunity to use its experience with archiving to plan a versatile research center with an eye on the future .</p>
<p>The museum, which was converted from a 19th-century church, began collecting artifacts from the surrounding area in 1969.  While, an addition to the museum in 2000 increased the organization’s ability to house additional archival  materials, that area quickly filled up with photographs, maps, posters, manuscripts, letters, ephemera, and other items. In 2025, BAHS broke ground on what is now the Archibald Jones Historical Research Center, allowing it to achieve its goal of bringing all archives into a single facility. </p>
<p>Understanding how quickly the previous archives filled up and determined to adhere to the organization's mission of preserving, collecting, and interpreting the history of their community and the surrounding area, the museum’s leaders knew the long-term functionality of their new research center would need to be well organized and able to adapt to items acquired in the future. </p>

<h2>Centralized Collections and a Vision for the Future</h2>
<p>BAHS’ previous archives room relied on static wooden shelves on three sides of the room and one flat file cabinet, both of which had reached capacity. This created challenges with access, efficiency, and workspaces. Worse yet, space limitations faced negatively affected the organization’s ability centrally to store artifacts, put items on display, and in some cases even accept donated collections. </p>
<p>It became clear to BAHS that they  required a solution that would solve their immediate storage and workflow challenges and also remain adaptable to accommodate needs that may arise in the future.</p>

<h2>A Solution that Freely Adapts</h2>
<p>Benzie Area Historical Society’s goal was to create a centralized archives area with space for staff and volunteers to comfortably work. BAHS leaders interviewed other museums to ask what storage systems worked for them and discovered a nearby historical society that had been using Spacesaver for decades. This strong testimony encouraged BAHS leaders to connect with our Michigan-based distribution partner to further research Spacesaver’s museum solutions and understand all the options we could offer.</p>
<p>Working with BAHS throughout the construction process to better understand how to optimize the new space and its functionality, our rep suggested our innovative  <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-shelving">4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving</a> to deliver the versatility BAHS was looking for. FreeSpan’s patent-pending clip design allows the archive’s shelves to be adjusted quickly and easily in ¾” increments – by a single member of the museum staff – ensuring optimal shelf spacing for all types of materials. </p>
<p>Utilized in both a standalone cabinet and the archive's Mechanical Assist <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems">High-Density Mobile Shelving</a> system, FreeSpan™ Shelving's configurations and related accessories allow BAHS staff to store standard archival boxes, bulky items, and smaller, fragile items all within one centralized archive space.</p>

<p>Compatible with all of our 4-Post solutions and accessories, Spacesaver 4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving is engineered to redefine modern storage by maximizing flexibility, speed, and functionality for its users and the space they occupy.
Download Brochure</p>

Download the 4-Post FreeSpan™ Brochure

<h2>Mapping Storage and a Workspace</h2>
<p>In the middle of the archives room, Spacesaver <a href="/products/museum-cabinets/archival-flat-file">420 Flat File cabinets</a> were configured back-to-back beneath a nearly 10’ x 8’ countertop, allowing two-dimensional items to be safely stored while also providing ample workspace. Enhancing workflow, a cabinet equipped with doors and easily adjustable 4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving keeps offices supplies organized and patent-pending FreeSpan™ Shelf Extenders prevent smaller items from falling behind shelf posts.</p>


<p><a href="/products/lockers/day-use-locker">Day Use Lockers</a>, in two different sizes and configurations, are positioned near the High-Density Mobile Shelving system to provide staff, volunteers, and visitors with a secure place to leave personal belongings and prevent workspaces from being crowded. Custom end panels on the High-Density Mobile Shelving and Day Use Lockers give the room a cohesive look and pleasing aesthetic.</p>

<h2>Freedom to Do More</h2>
<p>With archives consolidated into one location and easily adjustable solutions near their worktable, museum staff have become more efficient when reviewing and documenting new items, and they’re excited that storage capacity has nearly tripled. The versatility provided by 4-Post FreeSpan™ Shelving has made moving collections into the new space easier than expected. As boxes and objects of various sizes are moved into the Archibald Jones Research Center, staff can adjust shelving on the fly as they determine the best configuration for each set of items.</p>


<p>Spacesaver’s in-house engineers and design experts can give your museum’s long-term vision the freedom needed to come to fruition. Contact us to learn more about how we work with <a href="/partners">locally based consultants</a> to deliver solutions versatile enough to protect, and grow with, your collections for generations. </p>

Spacesaver 4-Post FreeSpan Shelves on a mechanical-assist system holding Benzie Area Historical Society's collections

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See how Spacesaver helped the Vermont Historical Society preserve their collections while also keeping them visible to the public. 

Opening Exhibit Space for Interpretation

Vermont Historical Society

<h2>A New Perspective On The Past</h2>
<p>The legacy of a region can be presented in many shapes, sizes, and forms. To best present the evidence of their community’s past and share its story, institutions employ historians and curators who have dedicated their lives to uncovering and understanding the individuals and events that shaped their locality. Day after day, these knowledgeable professionals take patrons on a guided journey through their respective region’s past. But what would happen if they weren’t available to do this?</p>
<p>This is a question the Vermont Historical Society (VHS) sought to answer in developing its hybrid exhibit/open storage space centered around allowing patrons to play the role of historian when interacting with the artifacts they display. Having identified the space that could bring this vision to life, the VHS reached out to their local Spacesaver representatives for support in securing their priceless artifacts and doing so in a manner that offers increased access and visibility for patrons and staff.</p>

<p>No matter what shape, size, or condition, Spacesaver has a storage system to properly preserve your historic artifacts.</p>

Spacesaver's Museum Storage Solutions

<h2>A Clear Example of Immersive History</h2>
<p>Like any facility focused on preserving the past, the Vermont Historical Society has a constant need for increased storage capacity as they are continually adding artifacts to their collection of over 30,000 pieces and counting. The building that the Vermont Historical Society resides in originated as a high school in the 1890s, was transformed into a middle school in the 1950s, and was converted to become the home of VHS (along with other entities) in the 1990s. As such, it features a unique layout including columns, HVAC systems, and non-uniform room sizes – further emphasizing the value of partnering with a full-service provider that could maximize the utility of the building’s finite footprint while achieving their goal of creating a hybrid exhibit/open storage space.</p>

<p>From the VHS's move into the building, staff had a clear idea of what the space should look like and how they would like it to function. However, without the funding to act upon it, they chose to configure the space as an exhibition gallery that could showcase a portion of their collections. Knowing continually rotating artifacts was time consuming for staff and potentially damaging to pieces due to overhandling – in addition to restrictions limiting visitors during the pandemic – VHS started to rethink how to best bring value with the space. This review led them to look back to original design plans that centered around open storage and allowing patrons to play the role of historian when interacting with artifacts.</p>


Museum Collections Manager

<h2>Secure Solutions For Hands-On Access</h2>
<p>When discussing which solutions to integrate within the space, there was a strong emphasis on choosing systems that would offer the greatest visibility into the pieces VHS is sharing. Because artifacts would be on exhibit longer than traditional galleries, VHS also wanted the safest storage for their items. Taking these ideas and the Society’s mission to provide access for all into consideration, our reps chose an array of secure storage solutions to accommodate pieces of all sizes within VHS's collections.</p>

<p>The entire gallery is setup with QR codes to allow for education programs and self-discovery without needing a staff member present to guide the journey. This allows patrons to access not only the approximately 1,500 items within the space, but also <a href="https://hub.catalogit.app/vermont-historical-society/folder/112-14-d2" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">VHS's entire online collection</a>, to choose their own learning adventure and find the perfect mix of artifacts for what they are looking to encounter that day. </p>

<p>Let Spacesaver help you design your space from the inside out to create the ideal solution for the visibility and security of your collections.</p>

Protecting Collections and Saving Space

<h2>Delivering Timeless Support</h2>
<p>Spacesaver and our <a href="/partners">nationwide network of local experts</a> understand that renovating a space or building new can be an intricate process. Our experts have the necessary experience to deliver the solutions you need to create a storage system that will securely display and protect your collections now and into the future. As you think about designing the layout of your current or future space, contact us to arrange a free consultation. Our experts will provide valuable insight and inspiration they’ve gained helping other organizations complete similar projects.</p>

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The University of Denver Pioneers needed a reliable way to store their hockey gear, and Spacesaver had the perfect storage solutions. 

Increasing mobility for a team on the move

Pioneering Storage For Pioneers

<p>Finding themselves in the Frozen Four has never been an accident for the men’s hockey team at University of Denver. Their storied history includes 10 national championships from 20 trips to the end of season tournament. As a result of these championship runs, the university found the trophy room wasn’t the only storage space in need of increased capacity. In need of an upgrade to its outdated and inflexible storage, the university sought out a provider that could deliver an elite-level system to match its winning program.</p>

<p>Champion teams' commitment to excellence is especially evident in their equipment rooms, where well-organized storage systems ensure teams have everything they need to stay safe and perform their best.</p>

High-Performance Collegiate Athletic Equipment Rooms

<h2>A Power Storage Play for the Pioneers</h2>
<p>The Pioneers’ hockey gear comes in all shapes and sizes. From sticks to sweaters and pucks to pads, each piece requires a specific configuration to be stored in the most efficient and accessible way possible. In their attempts to keep these items corralled on its static storage, the university’s equipment staff had to spread items into multiple rooms – forcing them to run between locations to access materials.</p>
<p>Needing to change it up, the university reached out to its local Spacesaver representative to bring in a solution nimble enough to shut out inefficiencies night-after-night. Already having experienced the value of Spacesaver’s solutions firsthand through an existing system at the university and contacts who use the systems in their facilities, Nick Meldrum, Director of Equipment Room Operations, was set on bringing one of our <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems">High-Density Mobile Storage systems</a> into the hockey storage area. Upon gaining a complete understanding of the team’s needs, our rep recommended a Wheelhouse® High-Density Mobile Shelving system equipped with our versatile 4-Post Shelving and accessories.</p>

<p>The easy to reconfigure, expand, and relocate storage system you choose to fit your space, budget, and plans.</p>

Wheelhouse® High-Density Mobile Storage

<h2>A Much-Appreciated Assist</h2>
<p>While everything seemed to be in place to build a championship storage lineup, there was one key piece missing – available funds – as the department did not have this project budgeted for the current season. Upon learning this and understanding the immediate value this system would bring to the Pioneers, Jim Parilla – a longtime supporter of Pioneers athletics – donated the funds to get the systems in place and ready for another Frozen Four run.</p>
<p>Having been given the green light to deliver a system that would help the team with lighting the lamp on game day, our local rep got to work designing a winning storage layout. Now, with our High-Density Mobile Storage in place, the team has double the usable space when compared to the static storage they previously employed, as well as a more efficient strategy for storing gear and supporting a championship season!</p>


Director of Equipment Room Operations

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University of Denver Hockey Storage

Learn all about our installation at the University of Virginia Ivy Library in Charlottesville, VA.

Stacking Up Efficient Operations and Optimal Space for UVA

University of Virginia Ivy Library

<h2>Expanding Capabilities Without Increasing Footprint</h2>
<p>While many information sources can now be found at the click of a button, there is still a growing need for solutions that can optimize the quality and quantity of storage of physical materials used by researchers, staff, and students at universities everywhere. However, upon reaching capacity within their facilities, administrators are faced with making a choice between culling their collections, adding to their footprint, or renovating to increase capacity. </p>
<p>Finding itself in this exact situation, the University of Virginia conducted a research project to discover how to best expand the capacity and ability of Ivy Library – its off-site shelving facility – to serve the many libraries and schools on campus. In the end, they concluded that the best option was to improve the systems within with the help of their local storage experts from Spacesaver.</p>

<p>Today’s universities face the difficult challenge of trying to fit an increasing amount of irreplaceable book collections, records, and other materials into a decreasing amount of storage space. Spacesaver has the solution.</p>

Make The Move Off-Site

<h2>Putting A Box Around The Solution</h2>
<p>When initially constructed and outfitted with storage solutions in 1995, the 10,000 SF Ivy Library building could securely store approximately 750,000 pieces. This setup of static shelving units served the university well for the next 15 years but was quickly approaching its limits in respect to both capacity and functionality. Wanting to uphold its mission to provide the best support possible for those who utilize its materials, administrators at Ivy Library had our local rep put together a new storage layout for the facility that included our <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems/high-bay-mobile-system">XTend® Mobile High-Bay Storage Systems</a>, which were designed to maximize capacity from wall to wall and floor to ceiling.</p>
<p>With the decision made and funding in place, the university got to work packaging and categorizing every piece within the building to prepare for removal of the static shelving and installation of the innovative XTend® systems. This encompassed roughly 55,000 boxes of items including CDs, microforms, books, pamphlets, paperwork, bound journals, cassettes, LPs, and models; each stored securely at off-site locations until the upgrade was completed in summer of 2011.</p>

<h2>Remaining Top Of The Class</h2>
<p>Spacesaver’s High-Density Mobile Shelving (HDMS) systems have been the industry leader for more than 50 years, and XTend® Mobile High-Bay Storage Systems take that legacy to the next level. For the staff at Ivy Library, XTend not only offered them the ability to quintuple the facility’s storage capacity but also helped them improve processes and increase access to materials requested by the campus’ libraries and schools of learning.</p>
<p>To further the security of Ivy Library’s staff and materials while utilizing the 34’ high shelving units, their XTend systems are mounted on anti-tip rails. Furthermore, these leading systems are controlled by innovative electronic controls that promote smooth movement and are supported by integral safety features including <a href="/blog/are-spacesaver-moving-shelves-safe">aisle-entry and Photo Sweep® sensors</a>, allowing users to safely and efficiently access materials with the touch of a button.</p>

Print Collection Strategist

<p>Our High-Bay Storage Systems provide more capacity in off-site storage facilities. Available in static form and our innovative XTend® mobile shelving configuration, these systems deliver increased storage density, adjustability, and accessibility for your facility.</p>

Taking Efficient Storage To New Heights

Ivy Library Manager

<h2>A Lasting Impact On Learning </h2>
<p>Despite being installed more than a decade ago, the University of Virgina continues to see value in the Ivy Library’s XTend® system. With its previous static storage setup, items were relegated to any open space that would support their respective size – causing many of the items to be misplaced due to a reduced ability to track their positioning after being initially logged in. </p>

<p>Upon implementing and configuring Spacesaver’s XTend® system to fit their current and future storage needs, staff were able to boost functionality, dependability, and accessibility. And, when new pieces are added to collection, these shelving units can be reconfigured for fit items of all sizes. This versatility allows the facility’s staff to securely store less frequently used materials and centrally locate more popular items in an environment that best supports them and promotes easier access when requested for pickup/drop off by the Ivy Library courier that comes to the facility twice a day.</p>

<p>Spreading Spacesaver’s impact beyond the University of Virginia’s campus, Mechem stated that libraries reach out to his team often for advice and to learn more about Ivy Library’s systems and their unique functionalities. He tells them when working with a vendor – like Spacesaver – libraries should focus on making the relationship a partnership and don't be afraid to say what is needed and wanted out of a system, because there may be solutions you might not know the vendor possesses or can develop to solve your problem.</p>

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Spacesaver’s innovative solutions incorporate digital locking mechanisms to strengthen the ties of justice.  

A full lineup of solutions for any department to choose from

Downers Grove Police Department

<h2>Locking Down A Functional Workflow For Downers Grove PD</h2>
<p>An upgrade nearly 20 years in the making, the Downers Grove Police Department received a new headquarters as part of a newly constructed Civic Center facility. The unique space located adjacent to the department’s former home shares common areas with the Village’s Community Hall and Grade School District 58. Wanting to ensure the project delivered increased accessibility and efficiency for its sworn officers and staff, department administrators reached out to their local Spacesaver distributor for backup.</p>
<p>Having partnered with the Village and the building's architect – FGM Architects – on numerous projects and maintained a close relationship with the department throughout the funding acquisition process, our rep was briefed and ready for action when called upon. Building on the theme of creating a more functional and welcoming environment for its officers and staff, the department looked to its local Spacesaver rep to deliver storage solutions across its square footage.</p>

<h2>Securing Resource Management For Downers Grove PD</h2>
<p>For years, the appeal of a keyed lock was that it allowed for a unique access vehicle for each locker. However, lost keys and lost time waiting for a supervisor to open an officer’s locker with a master key called for a more efficient solution. The introduction of digital keyless locks allows department heads to easily assign a locker to officers and staff, reducing downtime and increasing control of who has access to which locker throughout each shift. </p>
<p>Knowing that Downers Grove PD wanted to stay on top of the latest advancements, our local rep included digital keyless locks on all their incoming lockers. With these in place, department administrators could dramatically reduce loss and boost officer responsiveness and community safety. Below, we’ll take you on a tour of several locations where Spacesaver’s solutions are supporting the facility and its inhabitants.</p>

<h2>A Well-Organized Source of Officer Well-Being</h2>
<p>The recruitment and retention of officers to a department can be incredibly competitive. As such, a well-outfitted locker room can serve as the deciding factor for attracting rookies and keeping veterans on the force. Much more than a place to house gear and belongings, Spacesaver’s versatile lockers can significantly impact the well-being of officers by offering a dependable location for them to transition from being on- and off-duty.</p>
<p>To ensure they could establish a competitive advantage over other precincts, Downers Grove PD looked to their local Spacesaver rep to set its locker rooms apart from the rest. Focused on creating a design and feel for the men’s and women’s locker rooms that emphasize comfort and relaxation, our rep compiled a lineup of 127 FreeStyle® Personal Storage Lockers, each designed to be configured to fit the force’s varied needs. </p>
<p>To reduce misplaced items and dust accumulating on top of the lockers, the lockers are outfitted with sloped tops. Additional features of the lockers include 20 Amp power outlets for charging personal and professional items, Ojmar OTS® Advance digital keyless locks, an adjustable shelf with integral garment hanger, hooks, boot tray, 48” access height for ADA, louvers for ventilation, wood bench drawer, and a 12” H modular shelf. </p>


<h2>A Smooth Transition From Roll To Patrol</h2>
<p>Once the change from off- to on-duty is made in the locker room, the department’s officers head upstairs to roll call before heading out to their assigned beat. To reduce the amount of gear needed to be stored in their personal locker and trips back downstairs before heading out on patrol, our rep provided Gear and Duty Lockers in a high-traffic corridor between the department’s break room and direct access points to its motor pool. These versatile storage units offer quick access to and secure storage ranging from riot gear to weather-related supplies and more.</p>
<p>To increase security and ease of access for users and assignment tracking for administrators, the lockers are outfitted with Ojmar OTS® Advance locks. This feature allows the lockers to be utilized by multiple users on various shifts without the need to issue and track keys. Not only that, but officers can quickly access their gear with a code specifically assigned to them.</p>

<h2>Downers Grove Police Department's First Link In The Chain</h2>
<p>Officers will often need return to headquarters to deliver a suspect and/or evidence relating to an alleged offense. Initially, the suspect and/or evidence will be detained in a holding area until they are ready to be processed. To maintain the integrity of the evidence throughout the booking process, our rep delivered a group of Day Use Lockers with Ojmar OCS® Pro locks. These lockers – two of which are equipped with USB ports to keep detainees’ personal devices charged – support the department’s ability to maintain evidence in a state that is as close as possible to what it was collected in. </p>
<p>Mounted above cubby space consisting of Day Use Locker frames without doors, the lockers (presented in three different configurations to fit materials of multiple sizes) include multiple hooks to help in preserving evidence.</p>

<h2>Proceeding With The Processing</h2>
<p>When evidence is ready to be accounted for by the department’s expert lab technicians, officers have a wide array of evidence storage lockers to utilize, each designed to accommodate materials collected as evidence. Embedded into a wall that divides long-term evidence storage from the processing room, a bank of Pass-Thru Evidence Lockers is outfitted to safely and securely store pieces of most shapes, sizes, and forms. These lockers allow officers to enter evidence into an assigned locker on one side, and an evidence technician to retrieve and process the items on the other side – reducing the number of touches and limiting access to just the presenting officers and the assigned technicians.</p>
<p>Four of the lockers have been outfitted with USB ports for keeping digital evidence devices powered while staying secure, and two of the lockers in the bank are outfitted with Ojmar OCS® Pro locks to allow for crash/temporary holding and pass back capabilities. One locker even features a mail slot for quick delivery of uniquely sized sealed materials. For evidence that requires temperature control, six of the lockers are refrigerated. This ensures that the evidence remains as close to the state it was collected as possible.</p>

<h2>Downers Grove PD Turns The Wheel Of Justice</h2>
<p>Behind the curtain (wall) lies the department’s longer-term evidence storage systems in the form of Spacesaver High-Density Mobile Shelving (HDMS) systems. Featuring high-capacity, reconfigurable RaptorRAC® Widespan shelving mounted on 10 rows of HDMS carriages with Mechanical Assist controls, materials from boxes to long guns to miscellaneous evidence in totes of all sizes can be safely and efficiently stored to maximize capacity. </p>
<p>Truly customizing the HDMS system to fit the department’s space, our rep and design team were able to adjust the height of the back row of carriages to account for low hanging pipes. This allowed the department to optimize the space for its current needs and preserve space for future evidence.</p>

<h2>A Great Fit For All</h2>
<p>As the facility that also houses the local school district and the Village of Downers Grove, there was a strong need for versatile and secure storage in the common access hallways near the building’s gym facilities. Not only that, but unlike many of our storage solutions in the building, this storage required the ability to easily be checked out as needed rather than assigned.</p>
<p>Knowing this, our rep provided twenty 36” H by 12” W Day Use Lockers with Ojmar OCS® Pro digital keyless locks for the hallways outside the restroom and shower areas. These strategically outfitted lockers and innovative locking mechanisms allow for users to securely store their belongings and create a unique access code for each session – boosting accessibility and security for all fitness focused users.</p>

<h2>A Clean Finish To The Downers Grove Police Department Install</h2>
<p>Last but certainly not least, are the lockers allotted for the facility’s maintenance staff within their dedicated break room. This grouping of six durable, 18-gauge steel Day Use Lockers are outfitted with Ojmar OCS® Pro locks for ease of access and increased security. These 72” H x 18” W lockers feature multiple hooks for securely storing personal belongings as well as uniforms and equipment, allowing users to efficiently store the materials they need to get the job done and transition back to their home life. True to the individuals who use them, the tops of these lockers are sloped for easier cleaning.</p>

<h2>Supporting Environmentally Sustainable Features</h2>
<p>A major consideration for the design of the municipal building was to include sustainable elements such as rainwater cisterns, photovoltaic panels, material selection and landscaping improvements. By utilizing Spacesaver’s sustainably manufactured and long-lasting solutions, the department is able to contribute to the community’s environmental conservation efforts for years to come.</p>

<p>At Spacesaver, how we build our products is just as important as what we build. We take precautions both locally and globally to preserve the availability of natural resources for future generations.</p>

Spacesaver's Sustainability Brochure

A close up of the entrance to the Downers Grove Police Department

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Spacesaver’s high-quality artifact storage solutions preserve the story of one of history’s most-storied playwrights for generations to come.

Preserving artifacts is the be-all and the end-all of these solutions.

Folger Shakespeare Library

<h2>What’s In A Name?: A Legacy</h2>
<p>There’s no question that William Shakespeare is a name that is known throughout the world. His works have entertained and inspired their viewers for nearly half a millennium, and – despite Shakespeare having passed away more than 400 years ago – continues to grow through generous donors, collectors, and partners.</p>


<p>A common issue for any facility housing growing collections, The Folger Shakespeare Library – holder of the world’s largest collection of the printed works of William Shakespeare and a primary repository for rare materials from the early modern period of Brittain and Europe – found itself in need of support to safely and securely house its artifacts and create space for decades of growth to come. This included:</p>
<ul>
<li>260,000 printed books (the source of much of the continuing growth), comprised of seven different sizes of books, which would are sorted by size rather than another ordering system</li>
<li>60,000 manuscripts</li>
<li>90,000 prints, drawings, photographs, and paintings</li>
<li>250,000 playbills, recordings, films, and stage costumes</li>
</ul>
<p>All of which, needed to be accomplished in its existing space as local regulations restricted Folger from expanding its footprint.</p>

<h4>A Refreshed Storage Script</h4> 
<p>Looking to update its capacity to support patrons from the outside in, the Folger Shakespeare Library set out to find a worthy troupe that could bring this vision to life. Upon securing a partner that could renovate its façade, it looked to transform its interior storage to better accommodate current collections and allow for future growth.</p>
<p>Having worked with their local Spacesaver representative on a handful of projects, administrators at the library were confident they could put their trust in these dedicated experts. Knowing this, our team began devising a strategic plan to identify what solutions would efficiently address Folger's needs within the bounds of local regulations and codes. </p>

Here is another example of the value of partnering with Spacesaver’s storage experts when renovating your library’s storage space. See what we did for this storied library in the case study linked below.

St. Louis Public Library

<h2>Smooth Run the Systems Where the Solutions Are Deep</h2>
<p>Unlike other facilities in the area, Folger Shakespeare Library stores its collections on-site. However, due to structural concerns, only one floor could support Spacesaver <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high-density mobile system product details">High-Density Mobile Shelving</a>. With the help of their local Spacesaver representative and a mix of versatile storage systems designed to keep items secure from water, dust, and other <a href="/blog/museum-collection-care-best-practices" aria-label="museum agents of deterioration article">agents of deterioration</a>, the Library is able to preserve the integrity of and access to materials for researchers, staff, and other partners.</p>

<p>In addition to protecting collections from water coming from the ground, our local representatives helped Folger adjust to and protect from water from above – in the form of sprinklers required by local ordinances. Rather than removing existing shelving and installing new systems that would account for the 18” of clearance required between the shelving and sprinkler units per the regulations, our team of certified installers adjusted the height of the shelving in place to limit cost and interruption.</p>

<h4>No Legacy Is So Rich As Honesty</h4>
<p>It is our mission to develop and manufacture a variety of innovative storage products designed to help clients better manage their time, space, and security. In order to find the most efficient and cost-effective method to get these versatile solutions to our customers, we provide a <a href="/contracts" aria-label="purchase contract details">wide array of contract vehicles</a> and funding options. In this case and to keep the project from going to bid, we utilized our Sourcewell contract to purchase storage solutions required for current inventory and future growth.</p>

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<h5 style="text-align:center;"><a href="https://www.sourcewell-mn.gov/cooperative-purchasing/110923-SPC" target="_blank" aria-label="sourcewell contract details">Sourcewell</a></h5>
<p style="text-align:center; margin-top:0;">A self-supported government organization that conducts competitive solicitations, awarding the most responsive and responsible vendors at the manufacturer level. Members can purchase off the contract through their local dealers, streamlining the procurement process. </p></div>

<h2>Suiting The Action To The Word, The Word To The Action</h2>
<p>Included in the solutions provided to Folger are a mix of static and mobile storage, including <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="lateral art racks">Lateral Art Racks</a> for storing hanging art, <a href="/products/high-density-mobile-systems" aria-label="high-density mobile shelving product details">High-Density Mobile Shelving</a> for optimizing footprint, <a href="/products/museum-cabinets/archival-flat-file" aria-label="flat file cabinet product details">Flat File Cabinets</a> for posters and other printed artifacts, <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-case-type-shelving" aria-label="4 post shelving product details">4-Post Shelving</a> for adjusting to exact needs of relics of all sizes, and <a href="/products/shelving/cantilever-shelving" aria-label="cantilever shelving product details">cantilever shelving</a> for preserving volumes of volumes.</p>

Renovating, expanding, or building a library is an exciting and vitally important task, but it can also be a daunting one. Spacesaver’s extensive network of local distributors, backed by the strength 	of our engineering and manufacturing teams, are here to help at every step along the way.

Library Transformation Brochure

<p>To account for the delicate nature of some pieces within the collection, unique engineered-to-order solutions were incorporated within the project. For example, several robust book dividers were manufactured to support the integrity of stored books. This was in effort to preserve the life of the items and ensure they would stay safe in their new homes, while being accessible for research purposes. To further support these efforts, systems are designed for optimal airflow, helping to further preservation and uphold local building codes and adhere to their insurance company’s requirements.</p>

<h4>Providing Exceptional Service and Solutions </h4>
<p>In Hamlet, Shakespeare shares the line, “This above all: to thine own self be true.” Spacesaver and its dedicated staff and partner have embodied this principle for more than 50 years. One shining example was in the way our solutions were delivered to Folger. While there was an elevator available, it was too tiny to support the larger system pieces. As such, a great deal of the shelving had to be carried down the stairs by installers piece by piece. </p>
<p>Spacesaver's robust engineering teams and custom manufacturing capabilities can help bring your design team's vision to reality. Our fully integrated staff offers a one-stop-shop for our customers, allowing them to receive the solutions they need to properly store and preserve their items for years to come.  </p>

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Hawken school utilizes Spacesaver's unique storage solutions to preserve their school history.

Creating flexible classroom space through efficient storage

Hawken School

<h2>Preserving Room for Relfection</h2>
<p>A school's archives are an important reflection of the larger society beyond school grounds. When viewed years later, items like yearbooks, student newspapers, school board minutes, and even lunch menus help show how students and teachers reacted to and were shaped by historical events.</p>

Co-Director for Advancement

<h3>Smaller Space, Larger Capacity</h3>
<p>Faced with the demand for an additional classroom to support its move to smaller class sizes, the Hawken School looked for a partner to help relocate its archives. "I knew from the beginning that we really needed to have professionals come in and help design the best way to store these objects in a smaller space," Biggar said.
<p>Upon receiving the call from Biggar, Spacesaver's Cleveland-based consultant visited the school, answered questions, and shared insights about potential spaces and storage solutions that could maximize the storage capacity and utility of the available space. With this information at-hand and the expert guidance of our local rep, staff at Hawken decided on <a href="/products/shelving/4-post-case-type-shelving">4-post shelving</a> fitted with Nantucket Drawers and Trays and counter-height file cabinets that double as display space for items including letter jackets, student work, posters, and so much more.</p>

<h3>A Consolidated, Accessible Archive</h3>
<p>The new location, while much easier for staff to access, was significantly smaller. Now, staff, students, parents, and alumni can study school newspapers, yearbooks, and records from decades past, helping them understand how happenings at the school reflected historic events in their community and across the nation.</p>
<p>"The new systems allow us to bring in alumni, parents, and students, and show them more than 100 years of history," Biggar said. "The experience (with Spacesaver) was all top-notch, including the crew that installed it," he said. "The workmanship was excellent. I highly recommend them."</p>

<p>Adaptable shelving is ideal for growing organizations, helping them expand, optimize space, manage diverse inventories, and improve productivity.</p>

Configurable Shelving Systems

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Hawken School Archives

See how our systems were the perfect solution for displaying the National Museum for Women in the Art's collections. 

Better Representation Through Better Storage

National Museum of Women in the Arts

<h2>Displaying The Female Formations</h2>
<p>Art can take on many forms, as do the artists who create them. The National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) is the first museum in the world solely dedicated to championing women through the arts. Located in Washinton, D.C., The NMWA offers a rotating showcase of historic and contemporary artwork including more than 5,500 works from the 16th century to today.</p>
<p>Wanting to continue to shine a light on the creation of women in the arts, the NMWA looked to find a partner that could optimize the historic building's existing footprint and structural grid and maximize its reach. Recommended by a local architect familiar with the work we have done in library and archives storage, our local representative set up a meeting with the NMWA team to learn more about their needs and establish a foundation for our collaborative work.</p>

<p>Delivering easier operation, enhanced security, and increased storage, Spacesaver's art racks provide compact storage solutions for your hanging art collections. Explore and compare our art rack solutions to find the perfect fit for your collection.</p>

Fit To Be Securely Hung

<h2>A Deeper Impression Of Collections</h2>
<p>To start, our local representative worked with the National Museum of Women in the Art's architect and a third-party consultant to establish a master inventory list of their collections. This helped them to not only identify the best storage solutions for preserving these invaluable items, but also to establish an ideal mix of systems to fit the museum's functionality and guide the final layout. Once all parties agreed upon a comprehensive solution and construction plans were approved, the solutions were shipped, and the unified team got to work.</p>

<h2>Creating Beauty Inside and Out</h2>
<p>Paired with a renovation of the building's exterior, the museum's refreshed interior is designed to support generations of artists and enthusiasts to come. Comprised of a mix of Spacesaver Art Racks, stationary shelving, museum cabinets, specialty art tills, and more, the library is a testament to creative partnership between the National Museum of Women in the Art's curators and Spacesaver's in-house teams and nationwide partners.</p>
<p>Throughout the project, Spacesaver's local rep presented several solution options and budget numbers to ensure the National Museum of Women in the Arts was able to optimize both its space and its funding. This comprehensive support allowed us to offer the best mix of products to fully support the NMWA's unique collections and support its esteemed mission.</p>


Spacesaver mechanical assist shelving hold boxes containing works of art

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Preserving the United States Military's past, present, and future with forward-facing storage solutions.

Securing Historic Military Artifacts for Grateful Generations

Pritzker Military Archives Center

<h2>Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Soldiers</h2>

<p>Approaching its 250th year of existence, the US Military has been preserving freedom through times of peace and war. Evidence of these heroic efforts can be found in many forms, including letters, books, weapons, posters, and more – each playing a pivotal role in telling the story of those who made a present sacrifice for the future good. These efforts shaped the history of the United States and should be displayed, remembered, and honored by all who benefit from them.</p>

<p>The mission of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library (PMML) and Pritzker Military Archives Center (PMAC) is to increase the public's understanding of military history, military affairs, and national security by providing a forum for the study and exploration of our military – past, present, and future – with specific focus on their stories, sacrifices, and values. This requires not only a dedicated staff of archivists and preservation professionals, but also state-of-the-art storage systems – like those Spacesaver designs, manufactures, and delivers – to properly preserve and protect these invaluable resources for generations to come.</p>

No matter what the shape, size, or condition, Spacesaver has a storage system to properly preserve your historic artifacts.

<h3>Establishing A More Effective Home Base</h3>

<p>As the Pritzker Military Museum & Library's collections continued to expand, its established systems were no longer the best option for facilitating future growth. Located in downtown Chicago, the building was running out of space without the option to expand its footprint. Administrators realized they had no choice but to seek out an alternative location to accommodate current collections, allow for integration with its archives center, and facilitate long-term growth.</p>

<p>Prior to making the decision to move, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library utilized predominantly static shelving solutions, which were reaching capacity. In an attempt to support a growing collection of approximately 40,000 artifacts – including letters, military documents, prints, posters, original artwork, glass plate negatives, photographs, weapons, and maps – and more than 65,000 volumes of books, administrators made the choice to convert to high-density storage at their new location.</p>

<p>Knowing they would need a strategic advisor that is well-versed in high-density storage, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library began the search for a strategic partner to bring their historic artifacts into the modern age of museum preservation through the creation of a facility that would perfectly reflect the stories of the past while making room for the future pieces of history.</p>

<h2>Designing The Pritzker Military Archives Center</h2>

<p>After thoroughly vetting potential partners to bring their vision to life, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library chose internationally-renown architecture firm JAHN for the project's design work. Knowing the value that PMML has brought to the military archives community and to those who are represented through the organization's artifacts, JAHN started work to deliver a facility that would honor their legacy. The initial design included multiple buildings – with the museum and workshops in one building, and archival storage in another – however, in order to promote accessibility and longevity, all aspects were brought under one roof in the newly-created Pritzker Military Archives Center (PMAC). 


Associate Principal at JAHN Architects

<h3>Preparing Resources for Deployment</h3>

<p>With strategy for developing and outfitting their future home in place, staff at PMAC needed to prepare their archival items for the trip north. This process which took a year and a half to accomplish, essential for ensuring these invaluable artifacts are protected from <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/blog/museum-collection-care-best-practices" aria-label="read our blog about the agents of deterioration.">agents of deterioration</a> including dust, pests, water, and more, required staff to examine and replace the majority of the bankers' boxes used to house the materials. Upon arrival at the newly created facility in Kenosha, staff worked for six to eight months to properly categorize and distribute the materials into their new homes on the Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems.</p>

<h3>Powering A Base(ment) Of Support</h3>

<p>With approximately 9,400 square feet of exhibition space on the main floor of the facility, there's plenty of room to show off the Pritzker Military Archives Center's collections that are currently on display. The real showcase can be found in the form of <a href="https://www.spacesaver.com/products/high-density-mobile-systems/standard-mobile-system" aria-label="learn more about Spacesaver's Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving">Spacesaver's Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems</a> located in the lower-level space, which hold the remaining pieces. All items for display and research are kept on-site within these systems – except for those that are loaned out to researchers and digital share partners. At the Chicago location, patrons were able to pull circulating library pieces directly. However, to further protect the safety of archival materials, now only approved staff will source and bring items to selected viewing/research spaces throughout the main level of the facility.</p>

<p>The most impactful way the Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems have helped Pritzker Military Archives Center staff work more efficiently within the space is by creating a more efficient footprint overall. By utilizing these versatile systems, they can take what would have been approximately 20,000 square feet of storage space and double it by removing wasted aisles. Let's take a closer look at what's in storage at the facility.</p>

<h4>First Unit: Book Storage</h4>

<p>No matter which side of the battle lines someone was on, their personal writings on the matter can be insightful for those who want to gain a better understanding of a conflict. As such, the staff at the Pritzker Military Archives Center has accumulated thousands of volumes of books centered around the military experience, ranging in sizes and conditions and each requiring their own specific level of security and care.</p>




<p>To best accommodate the vast literary collection and the dedicated individuals tasked with their care, our local Spacesaver representative provided high-quality steel Cantilever shelving units mounted on Powered High-Density Mobile Shelving systems. The systems, compromising 45 carriages of approximately 30' in length each, are designed to move independently or as a group to create 91 separate aisles that can be opened with the push of a button.</p>

<p>Each aisle is equipped with both aisle entry and Photo Sweep® sensors. For the aisles that contain highly valuable or fragile items, TUSC Technology Controls have been added to increase security by requiring users to enter a specific passcode to gain access.</p>

Benzie Area Historical Society

All Projects

Northwestern College

Benzie Area Historical Society

Vermont Historical Society

University of Denver Hockey Storage

University of Virginia Ivy Library

Downers Grove Police Department

Folger Shakespeare Library

Hawken School Archives

National Museum of Women in the Arts

Pritzker Military Archives Center

Fort Atkinson Fire Department

Wake County School District

Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital

Michigan Department of Natural Resources

The Church Studio

Mishawaka Police Department

Fort Atkinson High School

Walworth County Historical Society

Homestead High School

Maximizing Cannabis Yield by Growing Vertically

Providing Basement Support for the USAF

Library Robotic Retrieval System vs. Spacesaver High-Bay Library Shelving

UC Berkeley Law School

Creating an Efficient, Secure Storage System for Valuable Inventory

The Ingenium Centre - Museum Cabinet Alternative

Designing an Off-site Evidence Storage Warehouse for Law Enforcement

Hood College Archives

Art Preserve of the John Michael Kohler Arts Center